Arsenal star Declan Rice is doing exactly what Gareth Southgate wants and ranks as England’s number one

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One Arsenal player has struggled so far at Euro 2024 but the statistics behind his performances suggest he is not the big problem.

Gareth Southgate’s England have hugely struggled so far during Euro 2024 with the Three Lions only netting twice in three group games in Germany.

Despite this, Southgate’s side finished top of their European Championship group and will now face Slovakia in the last 16 of the competition.

However, the performances from the Three Lions were certainly not good enough and they were perhaps a tad fortunate to finish top of their group and avoid a tougher knockout opponent.

One player has come under some intense scrutiny so far and that is Declan Rice.

Rice scrutinised but statistic suggests he may not be the big problem

Southgate’s selections in midfield have certainly caused as the former Middlesbrough manager elected to play Trent-Alexander Arnold alongside Rice in the double pivot.

However, this experiment flattered to deceive and Southgate changed things around and brought in Conor Gallagher.

Whilst the Alexander Arnold experiment had its moments, Gallagher’s selection was the wrong decision and he was hauled at half-time of England’s final group game against Slovenia.

Arsenal midfielder Rice has come under some scrutiny from the media and fans of the Three Lions, particularly after his poor performance against Denmark.

However, the former West Ham United midfielder has actually covered the most ground out of any of his England teammates, and is the 16th highest from all 24 teams.

• Declan Rice: 33.8 km covered
• Phil Foden: 31.6 km
• Kieran Trippier: 31.2 km
• Jude Bellingham: 30 km
• Kyle Walker: 29.7 km

Whilst this does not mean that Rice has performed well for England so far, it suggests that Southgate has made the wrong decision with starting Gallagher.

Southgate given midfield blueprint after Slovenia draw

Gallagher was replaced at half-time by Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and the teenager brought a much needed link between the midfield and attack.

Chelsea midfielder Gallagher certainly has his uses, mainly the energy that he brings to the team, but with Rice covering the most distance for the Three Lions so far this summer, starting the 24-year-old academy graduate is irrelevant.

Whether it’s Mainoo or Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, both of these midfielders have elite ability on the ball and alongside Rice could excel.

Having an elite progressive passer in the team, someone who can break the lines alongside Rice would help England’s creativity and, moving forward, this is something that Southgate has to change if the Three Lions are to have any chances of winning the Euros in Germany.